Processes and compositions for treatment of cotton and other cellulosic fabrics



United States Patent 3,190,717 PROCESSES AND COMPOSITIONS FOR TREAT- MENT 016 COTTON AND OTHER CELLULOSIC FABRICS Joseph C. King, Greenville, S.C., assignor to Metroieltlarlitic, Inc., Greenville, S.C., a corporation of Rhode s an No Drawing. Filed Apr. 9, 1962, Ser. No. 185,799 6 Claims. (Cl. 8-116.4)

The present invention relates to the processing of cellulosic and particularly cotton fabrics and it particularly relates to the processing of cotton fabrics so as to render them less susceptible to creasing and mussing and at the same time stabilizes the cellulosic fibres so as to virtually eliminate shrinkage of the Woven finished goods.

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide an improved process for enhancing the finishing qualities of cellulosic fabrics with a minimum loss of tensile strength and permitting them to retain the majority of their strength.

Another object is to provide an improved process of cross linking cotton and other cellulosic fabrics so that they will have enhanced crease resistance and other character-istics.

Still further object .and advantages will appear in a more detailed description set forth below, it being understood, however, that this more detailed description is given by way of illustration and explanation only and not by way of limitation, since various changes therein may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

In accomplishing the above objects it has been found that it is possible to treat cotton fabrics particularly and also less desirably other cellulosic fabrics, such as rayon fabrics, with a formaldehyde solution to achieve a high degree of cross linking thereof without tendering of the fabric.

It is essential that fabrics to be treated be as free of impurities and electrolytes as possible. Such impurities will result in inferior treatment and performance.

This is accomplished most satisfactorily by padding the fabric in a 12-18% solution but preferably a 15% solution of formaldehyde utilizing a 37% formaldehyde concentration and a 6% solution of a preferred catalyst being magnesium chloride.

Desirably the Wet pick-up should amount to 55-70% and the fabric with this pick-up is permitted to stand and age for 1020 hours and desirably for about 16 hours.

The fabric is then dried to 35% of moisture and permitted to lay over 8-l6 hours followed by curing at 300 F. for four to five minutes. The curing temperature should not exceed 330 F.

The resultant fabric is very highly cross linked and particularly with natural cellulosic fabrics the properties have been greatly improved and this has been accomplished without tendering or weakening of the strength of the fabric. Surprisingly, the standing for 16 hours appears to increase the strength and without such standing a much less satisfactory treatment is achieved.

magnesium chloride solution. 100 gal. volume with water at room temperature.

Good were padded at room temperature, batched on roll and let stand 16 hours. Dried on hot frame at 275 F. to 4% moisture. Goods were allowed to stand in a box '24 hours. Goods were then loop cured at 300 -F. for 5 minutes, washed and dried.

Results- Tensile test:

Warp lb 36 Filling lb 23 Dry crease angle deg 254 Wet crease angle deg 284 Shrinkage:

Warp percent 0 lFilling percent .87

While there has been herein described a preferred form of the invention, it should be understood that the same may be altered in details and in relative arrangement within the scope of the appended claims.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the invention, and in What manner the same is to be performed, what is claimed is:

1. A process of cross linking cellulosic fabrics which comprises padding them with dilute formaldehyde and then aging them for 10-20 hours and then drying, aging for 8-16 hours and curing.

2. A process of cross linking cellulosic fabrics which comprises treating them with a 15% formaldehyde solution, aging for 16 hours, drying, aging for 16 hours and curing. 3. A process of cross linking cotton fabrics which comprises cross linking a fabric by treatment with a 15 formaldehyde solution containing 6% magnesium chloride, padding the fabric to give a wet pick-up of -70%, permitting to stand for 16 hours and then drying at about 320-330 F. for one and a half minutes to 3-5% moisture, permitting goods to stand in this state for 8-16 hours and then curing 4 to 5 minutes at 300-330 F.

4. A process of cross linking cellulosic fabrics which comprises padding the fabric with a 12 to 18% solution of 37% formaldehyde in the presence of a magnesium chloride catalyst to give a Well pick-up of about to permitting the fabric to stand and age for 8 to 16 hours and then curing at 300 to 330 F. for 4 to 5 minutes.

5. A process of cross linking cellulosic fabrics which comprises treating with dilute formaldehyde solution for 10 to 20 hours, drying and then aging for about 8 to 16 hours and then curing at 300 to 330 F. for 4 to 5 minutes- :6. A process of treating cotton print cloth which comprises padding it at room temperature with dilute formaldehyde and permitting it to stand for 16 hours, drying at 275 F. at 4% moisture continuing the aging for about 24 hours and then curing at 300 to 330 F. for 4 to 5 minutes.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,108,520 2/ 38 Wolf et a1. 8 1l6.4 2,233,402 -3 41 CI'GSSWell 8l 16.4 2,679,449 5/54 Schappel 8-1 16.4

'NORMAN G. TOROHI'N, Primary Examiner. 

1. A PROCESS OF CROSS LINKING CELLULOSIC FABRICS WHICH COMPRISES PADDING THEM WITH DILUTE FORMALDEHYDE THEN AGING THEM FOR 10-20 HOURS AND THEN DRYING, AGING FOR 8-16 HOURS AND CURING. 